First Confirmed Case of Zika Virus Disease in West Virginia

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it may not necessarily represent current WVOEMS policy or procedure. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 304-558-3956.

Posted:
Friday, March 11, 2016 7:32 AM

West Virginia is reporting its first confirmed case of Zika
virus disease. The case was a traveler who visited Haiti in January
2016 and became ill with symptoms associated with Zika virus
disease upon return to West Virginia; symptoms have since resolved.
West Virginia is now one of 39 states to report travel-associated
Zika virus disease. No states have reported locally-acquired Zika
infections.

The Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
(DIDE) has been monitoring calls related to Zika virus disease
through our 24/7/365 on-call service. Since late January 2016, the
DIDE has received 27 calls for which there were concern about Zika
infection. Fifteen (55.6%) specimens have been collected and sent
for Zika testing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC); 3 results have been received, and this is the first positive
test. To date, 8 pregnant women have had specimens sent for testing
(results still pending).

While Zika virus is primarily transmitted through
the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito (A. aegypti and A.
albopictus), infected pregnant women can pass Zika to the fetus
during pregnancy. Pregnant women are strongly advised to avoid
travel to Zika-affected areas. Additionally, condom use or
abstinence throughout pregnancy is strongly encouraged for pregnant
women who have a male partner who lives in or has traveled to a
Zika-affected area. Research on poor pregnancy outcomes in pregnant
women with Zika (e.g. microcephaly and other birth defects) and
sexual transmission of Zika is ongoing.

As the spring and summer approach, mosquito
activity will increase in West Virginia. A. albopictus has been
identified in counties across the state. Preventing mosquito bites
is still the best way to prevent transmission of mosquito-borne
diseases. CDC recommends using mosquito repellents containing DEET,
picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Also, consider
wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, removing
potential mosquito breeding sites near homes (e.g. containers with
standing water, tires) and ensuring that window and door screens
are intact to prevent mosquitoes from coming indoors.

For more information, please see www.dide.wv.gov or
call DIDE at (304) 558-5358, extension 1 or the answering service
at (304) 925-9946.

West Virginia is reporting its first confirmed case of Zika
virus disease. The case was a traveler who visited Haiti in January
2016 and became ill with symptoms associated with Zika virus
disease upon return to West Virginia; symptoms have since resolved.
West Virginia is now one of 39 states to report travel-associated
Zika virus disease. No states have reported locally-acquired Zika
infections.

The Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (DIDE) has been
monitoring calls related to Zika virus disease through our 24/7/365
on-call service. Since late January 2016, the DIDE has received 27
calls for which there were concern about Zika infection. Fifteen
(55.6%) specimens have been collected and sent for Zika testing to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); 3 results
have been received, and this is the first positive test. To date, 8
pregnant women have had specimens sent for testing (results still
pending).

While Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an
infected Aedes mosquito (A. aegypti and A. albopictus), infected
pregnant women can pass Zika to the fetus during pregnancy.
Pregnant women are strongly advised to avoid travel to
Zika-affected areas. Additionally, condom use or abstinence
throughout pregnancy is strongly encouraged for pregnant women who
have a male partner who lives in or has traveled to a Zika-affected
area. Research on poor pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with
Zika (e.g. microcephaly and other birth defects) and sexual
transmission of Zika is ongoing.

As the spring and summer approach, mosquito activity will
increase in West Virginia. A. albopictus has been identified in
counties across the state. Preventing mosquito bites is still the
best way to prevent transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. CDC
recommends using mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin,
IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Also, consider wearing
long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, removing
potential mosquito breeding sites near homes (e.g. containers with
standing water, tires) and ensuring that window and door screens
are intact to prevent mosquitoes from coming indoors.

For more information, please see www.dide.wv.gov or call DIDE at
(304) 558-5358, extension 1 or the answering service at (304)
925-9946.